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Monday, September 25, 2017

Taking Back What Is Yours

In a popular video, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) is adamant that her time is not wasted so she redirects the questioner's rambling in response to her question again and again with the phrase “Reclaiming my time,” an invocation of House procedural rules. This axiom became the basis for many memes but there's truth in the phrase "reclaiming my time" as it sounds an awful lot like redeeming the time and has a similar meaning.

Redeeming the time, from the Greek is translated to "exagarazo the kairos," which means you are purchasing out of slavery the fleeting opportunities that you are presented with. In other words, you “make the most of every opportunity” or “make the most of your time” as the NASB and NIV translations state. The English definition of redeeming is to gain or regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment. So to redeem is to make a trade or an exchange that you are willing to pay for because when you buy something back it costs you something. If it's not worthwhile to you, you won't redeem it. For most of us, our time is important and it's something that we want to redeem.

Reclaiming the time was written into the House Rules indicating that there would be opportunities for speeches and debates to go off course; or that some would intentionally try to find loopholes and waste the time which was to be used for a specific purpose. If humans recognized that this was a possibility why not God? Of course, God as he is familiar with human nature.

So as Christians we are called to redeem the time because the days are evil. As believers, if we're not careful we can get caught up in the mindset of everything that's going on around us and become mindless and eventually Godless. Redeeming the time involves a solid constant deepening relationship with God, spent in prayer and reading God's Word and then living out those values with a heart of love toward God and those around us. We become authentic believers - our words align with our lives. We are wise in how we use our time, in our interactions and relationships and we constantly try to exhibit love. We don't just do things because the Bible says so, we do it because the Bible says so, it's the right thing and it has a huge impact on us and the Kingdom of God. When we redeem the time the cost is our lives and the way we live - the way we walk, the way we talk, the way we are.

So we can change our habits.

When we are tempted to view something on TV or the internet that defiles our spirit - repeat "redeeming my time" as you switch the channel or turn it off.

When we get a phone call that is only to slander someone - repeat to yourself "redeeming my time," and end the conversation.

When your child is not acting right - repeat "redeeming my time" as you ask God for wisdom in the situation.
When you make a choice to take every thought captive, you are redeeming the time.

When you make a choice to love your neighbor, you are redeeming the time.

When you make a choice to befriend the others among us, you are redeeming the time.

When you open your home to a family that really needs it you, are redeeming the time.

When you choose to see how God is working in someone's life and not focus on their past or missteps, you are redeeming the time.

When you step out of your comfort zone and pray with someone on the spot after they have expressed a deep need or hurt, you are redeeming the time.

You have to know that you can reclaim your time. You have to know that your time is important. Your opponent - the Devil, maybe mad but you ain't wrong - you have the right to reclaim your time; it is lifesaving.

Redeeming the time allows you to focus on what is important.

You can say it like a mantra silently or audibly, until you, and others around you know that you will not waste your time.

Redeem the time - what are you giving in exchange for your time? Buy the opportunity which time gives us.

Redeem your time. Reclaim your time.

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Ephesians 5:15,16

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

Colossians 4:5

How are you reclaiming your time?

--Nylse

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Hey Nylse! I definitely have to do better about redeeming and reclaiming my time and making the most of opportunities God presents to me. I think when we get stuck in old habits, it's easy to waste time. Thanks for this reminder!

"Redeeming the time involves a solid constant deepening relationship with God, spent in prayer and reading God's Word and then living out those values with a heart of love toward God and those around us." AMEN! Thanks so much for this timely reminder that we need to redeem the time.

Oh what great advice! And not something I've heard people talk about a lot. Our culture lets time slip away and still manages to be frantically busy at the same time! We confuse urgent and important and let our lives drip through our fingers!

I never knew that!! I so enjoyed a different perspective today. When things don't move as quickly as I'd like, I feel like time is wasted, but God orders our steps and we do our best to keep up. I'm so thankful for His redemption. I'm so glad you stopped at #GritUp this week!